The prices of cement and steel — the two key building materials — have jumped 41 per cent and 16pc, respectively, pushing up the cost which resulted in a construction slowdown in the outgoing calendar 2022. The 50-kg cement bag rate rose to Rs1,043 from Rs738 on Dec 30, 2021 while per tonne steel bar prices increased to Rs224,500-225,500 from Rs194,500-197,500 a year ago. Steel bars, which h